Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I am so lucky to live in a beautiful, historical area with such gorgeous homes. When I go for a walk these are the homes I get to look at - it never gets old!!

You know I LOVE ivy!!

and

I love this front door.

This one is definitely a one-of-a-kind!

These were used when people traveled by horse and carriage, they would use this platform so they could easily step into the carriage.

Amazing that they are still around!!

What do you think of this one?? I'm seriously considering buying this home. I've looked at it a couple of times and do really love it. It is has lots of space for me to decorate, beautiful thick trim, all original thin hardwood floors and it has the most amazing double staircase!!

One of my favorite things about the house is the porte-cochere which has it's original hanging light fixture!

(can't really see it in this picture because it is on the left of the house)

Ella Bean really likes it!

On our walk we always make sure to cross the street so we are NOT walking in front of this house (they have two of these home security systems, which are VERY scary - heh)

I've always wanted to walk in this persons yard to see what it looks like in this great gazebo!

Maybe one day I'll sneak a peek - just afraid they might have one of those home security systems too!

Monday, June 20, 2011

I finally got around to planting the flowers in my window box! I never wait this long but things have been crazy around here. One positive to waiting was the great deal I got on my flowers...okay, maybe they are half dead but I'm sure with a little TLC they'll be beautiful!

Do you ever do something that is sooo embarrassing you just want to crawl under a rock and hide forever!?! Well, whatever that was it is probably nothing in comparison to the incident I had while planting my flowers...

I was running late and had to get to the greenhouse to pick out my flowers before the shop opened. I threw on my clothes and ran out of the house. I ended up going to three different greenhouses before finding plants I liked. Once I got to the shop I immediately began planting but ran out of soil. My mom dropped off soil and as I was finishing she said, "Traci do you have a hole in your pants?" Sure enough all morning I was shopping and bending over planting with the BIGGEST hole in the seam of my pants! Well, at least it explained the strange looks I got from people that walked by and the horn that honked(I thought they were thinking I was cute - guess not)!!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I love giving gifts and even more love giving a gift that is just as pretty outside as inside! When the person I am giving a gift to receives a specially wrapped gift they feel special. When I opened Whimsy I knew I wanted each customer to feel and know just how special he/she is. I want each purchase to feel as if they just received a gift. Packaging is so important and it is so fun to get creative! The way you present gifts (or in my case purchases) is your time to BE ORIGINAL - show the mood you are in or how festive you are feeling. Since opening, each season I like to add a little "something" to my bags to go with the holiday theme. I've had stars, hearts, snowflakes, butterflies, birds, flowers and others all made from vintage book and music note paper. I love using vintage colored ribbons and paper shreds! I just love my bags and love that my customers appreciate them!

I've been using my polka dot and stripe paper since day one! I love it!

I had a friend tell me that another shop in my town is using paper items to decorate their bags. Sure enough today a customer walked in with....

Yep, a bird! Yep, made of vintage paper!

Such a cute picture and she bought a beautiful black rose bracelet to match her outfit!

I didn't give her a bag because she wore it home:) heh!

Being original can be difficult because there is always someone somewhere that has a similar vision you do...When a situation like this happens I remind myself that it could be and hopefully is unintentional!

About Me

Whimsy is a retail boutique located in Morris, Illinois. We have been open five years and just moved to a new location - 217 Liberty Street, Morris! If you stop in you will see vintage finds, found objects, and collectables. This blog is about my shop, things I love and occasionally about me. Please call us with any questions: 815.513.5600 -------------------
Thanks for stopping by.
Traci Tessone, owner.